The 36th edition of Carthage’s cinematographic days, which will be held from December 13 to 20, 2025, will devote a tribute supported to one of the most singular figures in the Arab artistic world: Ziad Rahbani.
Died in Beirut on August 1, 2025 at the age of 68, the author, composer, actor, playwright and Lebanese columnist leaves behind an abundant work, marked by political satire, implacable lucidity and musical modernity that deeply influenced a whole generation.
Son of the great singer Fairuz and the composer Assi Rahbani, Ziad Rahbani asserted himself very early as an unclassifiable artist, heir to the musical heritage Levantin but fiercely free in his expression. A figurehead of the counter-culture Beiruture in the 1970s and 1980s, he also marked with his imprint Arabic cinema, notably through his collaborations with major filmmakers such as Maroun Bagdadi, Farouk Beloufa, Randa Chahhal or Kassem Hawal.
It is this strong link between Ziad Rahbani and the new Arabic cinema that the JCC 2025 chose to pay tribute. A selection of films in which he participated – as actor or composer – will be presented as part of the festival. Among them, several rare or restored works will rediscover its discreet but essential role in the aesthetic and sound evolution of committed cinema of the years 1970-1980.
Meetings, special projections and parallel events will complete this programming, in order to celebrate the richness of its artistic journey. Ziad Rahbani will not be in Carthage to present his ironic American feature filmbut his presence will be everywhere in this edition, through his biting spirit, his disillusioned gaze on the Arab world, and his inimitable sense of composition.
With this tribute, the JCC once again claim their attachment to a critical, popular, unruly – cinematographic memory – like the artist they greet this year.
Neïla Driss
